Cameron Lawrence
HIS 102
9/6/20
Dr. LaPierre
After reading, “Sermon on the Treatment of Slaves,” by Antonio Vieria, I can clearly see
how he thinks the slaves should think about their servitude. How inhumane they are treated for
simply being no different but by color. In Vieria’s view, he talks about the slaves having two
kinds. One is the body and the second is the soul. The slave’s body is the part of them that is
enslaved to their masters. In the reading, he stated, “You are slaves in your exterior part, which is
the body; however, in the other interior and nobler half, the soul… you are not a slave, but free.”
(Conrad, 1994) This explains that the slaves are not captive to their masters. In the flesh they are,
but within the soul, they are free like all other people. Vieira also says, “Therefore, black
brothers, the slavery you suffer… is not total slavery.” This resembles a piece of hope for the
slaves in their servitude that they are enduring now. Being treated this way in life doesn’t set up
for their second life with God himself. Vieria mentions Adam and Eve’s ignorances and
blindness with the actions they have committed. Thus, showing how are we being any better than
ways of them by continuing this cruelty, slavery, towards man. Vieria being a Jesuit missionary
used christian theology to explain slavery. His theologies saw this as wrong and also the
principles of God. In the document it mentioned, “Are not these bodies born and do they not die
as ours do? Do they not breathe the same air? Are they not covered by the same sky? Are they
not warmed by the same sun? What star is it, so sad, so hostile, so cruel, that decides their fate?”
(Conrad, 1994) This shows that Vieria saw the slaves as equal to all men. These were the same
men and women who were the children of Adam and Eve, redeemed by christ, living under the
same sky, and breathing the same air. No differences between these individuals but by color. The
ignorance and blindness of these called “Masters” is there reason for this cruel and dishonor act
upon these people.
The purpose behind this sermon was to inform and show why slavery is wrong. It was a
action by blindness that resulted in ways that were not necessary. For the slaves that endured this
was wrong but Vieria explain this as not a bondage for life but a temporary hold that they will
later be set free in their second life. Vieria was not a slave but a philosopher, missinoary,
diplomat, and a preacher that could see the wrongs that ones cannot see.